Beyond the Music: Building Skills for a Sustainable Future
What does sustainability have to do with music education? More than you might think! In episode 121, Theresa and Kathryn welcome Kyle Bartlett, music educator and researcher, to explore how music classrooms already contribute to sustainability by developing skills like deep listening, collaboration, systems thinking, and student agency. Kyle explains how sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to include social, economic, and cultural well-being, and how music educators can help students become thoughtful, engaged citizens by creating opportunities for them to listen to others, share their perspectives, and take meaningful action.
Kyle shares practical ways to bring sustainability into music education, from simple deep-listening activities that build awareness of our surroundings to interdisciplinary projects that connect music, engineering, and clean energy. He encourages teachers to start small, explore topics that interest them, and recognize the meaningful work they may already be doing. Tune in to discover how everyday music-making can cultivate skills that reach far beyond the classroom and help students find their voices in a complex world.
Listen to the full interview:
Here are some key takeaways from Episode 121:
- Sustainability Starts Here – Music classrooms already foster sustainability through listening, collaboration, and agency, even when teachers don’t recognize these connections.
- Listen Deeply – Intentional listening builds musical awareness, strengthens connections to our surroundings, and helps students notice what might otherwise go unheard.
- Cultivate Agency – When students’ voices are heard and valued, they learn their contributions matter and can influence the world around them.
- Think Beyond Music – Music education develops systems thinking, collaboration, and futures thinking, skills students need to navigate complex challenges beyond the classroom.
- Start Small – Explore a topic you’re passionate about, learn alongside your students, and discover meaningful ways to connect music with sustainability.
Listen Today!
You can check out the full interview on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform. Or you can listen right here!
Connect with Kyle and learn more:
- LinkedIn – Kyle Bartlett
- Substack – Teaching for a Complex World
- Community & Course: Teaching for a Complex World
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Inner Development Goals (IDGs)
- Deep Listening
More about Pass the Baton:
- Join the Coffee Club
- Support Pass the Baton
- Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection
You might also enjoy these other episodes:
- Episode 62 – The Kids Come First: Student Ownership in Ensembles, featuring Kathleen Jacoby
- Episode 90 – Throw Away the Rubric: Ungrading the Music Room, featuring Chris Gleason
- Episode 77 – Inspiring Young Musicians: Passion and Purpose in Music Education, featuring Stephen Cox
- Episode 85 – Fostering Lifelong Learning through Reflective Partnerships, featuring Merlin Thompson
